Knox County Emergency Management Agency

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Knox County Emergency Management Agency Our Mission is to provide a comprehensive and integrated emergency management system that coordinates community resources to protect lives and property.

What we do:

Coordinate Emergency Management activities for Knox County. Maintain and update the county’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, Hazards Vulnerability Analysis and Hazard Mitigation Plan. Activate and staff the county Emergency Operations Center. Work with other county, city, town, departments, agencies and task force elements to develop a variety of related emergency plans, procedures and protocols. Coordinate for local, state and federal government response and recovery operations during a major emergency or disaster. Maintain and operate the counties fixed site and mobile Emergency Operations Center. Conduct community emergency and disaster education workshops. Monitor severe weather watches, warnings and special statements issued by the National Weather Service and provide this information to other local government departments including public safety and public works agencies. Serve as staff support for the Knox County Local Emergency Planning Committee for Hazardous Materials. Provide assistance and support to all public safety agencies, government entities and private sector partners through planning, training and exercising. Coordinate resource support to tactical response units and on scene Incident Commanders. Provide Continuity of Operations Planning information and guidance.

BEHIND THE SCENES WITH KNOX COUNTY EMAPlanning Today to Protect Lives TomorrowToday, Knox County Emergency Management ha...
10/16/2026

BEHIND THE SCENES WITH KNOX COUNTY EMA

Planning Today to Protect Lives Tomorrow

Today, Knox County Emergency Management had the opportunity to work alongside Vincennes University Police Chief Daugherty and university personnel to identify and evaluate designated severe weather refuge areas within the new Center for Health Sciences and Learning.

While visiting this impressive new facility, we also had the opportunity to see some of the amazing technology and educational resources Vincennes University is bringing to its students. It is exciting to see these investments in education and the future of our community.

But behind the scenes, another important part of operating a modern educational facility is taking place — emergency preparedness and life safety planning.

Why Designate Severe Weather Refuge Areas Before a Storm?

When severe weather threatens, especially tornadoes and damaging straight-line winds, there may be only minutes to take protective action.

Identifying appropriate refuge areas ahead of time allows university police, faculty, staff, and students to respond quickly and with greater confidence.

Advance planning helps accomplish several important objectives:

* Identify safer locations: Evaluate interior rooms, corridors, and other potential refuge areas based on building construction, location, and exposure to exterior walls, windows, and other hazards.
* Reduce confusion: Ensure faculty, staff, and students know where to go when severe weather warnings are issued.
* Improve response time: Eliminate the need to make critical sheltering decisions while dangerous weather is approaching.
* Plan for accessibility: Consider the needs of individuals with disabilities or others who may require assistance.
* Support emergency communications: Establish clear procedures for notifying building occupants and directing them to designated refuge areas.
* Strengthen coordination: Ensure university police, emergency management, and responding public safety agencies understand the facility’s emergency procedures.

An important distinction is that a designated severe weather refuge area is not necessarily a FEMA-rated safe room or engineered storm shelter. However, identifying and evaluating the most appropriate available areas within a building is an important part of reducing risk.

Emergency Management Is About More Than Responding to Disasters

Much of the work performed by Knox County EMA happens long before an emergency occurs.

Walking through facilities, evaluating potential hazards, coordinating with public safety partners, reviewing emergency procedures, and helping organizations develop practical response plans are all essential parts of our mission.

The middle of a tornado warning is not the time to decide where hundreds of people should seek protection. Those decisions need to be made well before the storm arrives.

We appreciate Vincennes University Police Chief Daugherty and the university’s faculty and staff for their commitment to preparedness and for allowing Knox County EMA to assist with this important planning effort.

Preparedness is not always something the public sees, but it is one of the most important things we do behind the scenes.

Knox County Emergency Management Agency
Preparedness • Coordination • Response • Recovery

—Emergency Manager
John Streeter
City of Vincennes, Knox County

10/15/2026

Knox Co, IN Alert

Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued October 15 at 7:41PM EDT until October 15 at 8:15PM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
TORIND

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
East central Knox County in southwestern Indiana...
Central Daviess County in southwestern Indiana...

* Until 815 PM EDT.

* At 740 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 8 miles west of Washington, or 9 miles north of
Petersburg, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.
Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree
damage is likely.

* Locations impacted include...
Washington, Monroe City, Wheatland, and Montgomery.
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
http://www.weather.gov

10/15/2026

Knox Co, IN Alert

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued October 15 at 7:27PM EDT until October 15 at 8:15PM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
SVRIND

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Eastern Knox County in southwestern Indiana...
Daviess County in southwestern Indiana...

* Until 815 PM EDT.

* At 726 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 9 miles west of
Washington, or 9 miles east of Vincennes, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
Washington, Bicknell, Loogootee, Odon, Elnora, Monroe City,
Wheatland, Plainville, Montgomery, Cannelburg, Alfordsville, West
Boggs Lake, and Glendale Fishery.
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
http://www.weather.gov

10/15/2026

Knox Co, IN Alert

Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued October 15 at 7:07PM EDT until October 15 at 7:45PM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
TORIND

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
North central Knox County in southwestern Indiana...

* Until 745 PM EDT.

* At 707 PM EDT, a tornado producing storm was located over
Russellville, or 10 miles north of Vincennes, moving east at 20
mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.
Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree
damage is likely.

* Locations impacted include...
Bicknell.
To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a
basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.
http://www.weather.gov

10/15/2026

Knox Co, IN Alert

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued October 15 at 6:59PM EDT until October 15 at 7:30PM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
SVRIND

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Southwestern Knox County in southwestern Indiana...

* Until 730 PM EDT.

* At 658 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near St.
Francisville, or 9 miles northeast of Mount Carmel, moving east at
30 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
Vincennes, Monroe City, Wheatland, and Decker.
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
http://www.weather.gov

10/15/2026

Knox Co, IN Alert

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued October 15 at 6:49PM EDT until October 15 at 7:30PM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
SVRIND

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Southeastern Sullivan County in southwestern Indiana...
Northeastern Knox County in southwestern Indiana...
Southwestern Greene County in southwestern Indiana...
Northwestern Daviess County in southwestern Indiana...

* Until 730 PM EDT.

* At 648 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Lawrenceville
Vincennes Airport, or near Lawrenceville, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
Vincennes, Bicknell, Carlisle, Oaktown, Bruceville, Sandborn,
Edwardsport, Vincennes University, Pleasantville, and
Freelandville.
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
http://www.weather.gov

Storms will move into Knox County through the evening with some severe weather possible to include damaging winds and po...
10/15/2026

Storms will move into Knox County through the evening with some severe weather possible to include damaging winds and possibly an isolated tornado for the area. No Watch is expected given the isolated nature of the threats. Maintain awareness this evening for any possible Warnings that may be necessary as storms enter from Illinois over the next hour or two.

10/11/2026

Space education prepares cadets for Air Force and Space Force missions through academics, research and hands-on training.

BEHIND THE SCENES WITH KNOX COUNTY EMAHurricane Preparedness in the Midwest — Why It Matters in Knox County, Indiana🌪️ W...
10/09/2026

BEHIND THE SCENES WITH KNOX COUNTY EMA

Hurricane Preparedness in the Midwest — Why It Matters in Knox County, Indiana

🌪️ When you hear the word hurricane, Indiana probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind. But even hundreds of miles from the Gulf Coast and Atlantic Ocean, southwestern Indiana can experience significant impacts from these powerful weather systems.

When hurricanes make landfall, they don’t simply disappear. As they travel inland, they generally weaken, but their expanding circulation and tremendous amounts of tropical moisture can still produce dangerous weather hundreds of miles away.

A storm doesn’t have to remain a hurricane to create serious problems here in Knox County.

🌧️ What Could Hurricane Remnants Bring to Our Area?

Hurricanes are rated Category 1 through Category 5 based on sustained wind speeds. However, those ratings don’t measure rainfall, flooding, tornado potential, or the full extent of a storm’s impacts.

For Knox County, our concerns may include:

* Heavy Rainfall and Flash Flooding: Tropical moisture can produce significant rainfall, overwhelming drainage systems, creeks, and low-lying roadways.
* River Flooding: Heavy rainfall upstream can affect the Wabash and West Fork White Rivers, sometimes days after the storm has passed.
* Damaging Winds: Strong winds can bring down trees, power lines, and damage infrastructure.
* Tornadoes and Severe Thunderstorms: Tropical systems can produce rapidly developing tornadoes, dangerous lightning, and intense thunderstorms.
* Infrastructure Disruptions: Flooded roads, power outages, communications interruptions, and transportation problems can affect emergency services and everyday operations.

📡 What Happens Behind the Scenes at Knox County EMA?

Emergency management doesn’t begin when the first rain falls. Our preparations begin days in advance.

As tropical systems develop and move inland, Knox County EMA works to maintain situational awareness and evaluate potential threats to our communities.

Our behind-the-scenes preparedness includes:

1. Weather Intelligence and Forecast Monitoring

Monitoring the National Hurricane Center, National Weather Service, and multiple weather software apps for storm tracks, rainfall projections, wind threats, river forecasts, and changing weather conditions.

2. Local Impact Assessments

Evaluating potential impacts to flood-prone areas, critical infrastructure, roadways, utilities, public facilities, and vulnerable populations throughout Knox County.

3. Public Safety Coordination

Sharing information and coordinating preparedness with Knox County Central Dispatch, fire departments, law enforcement, EMS, highway departments, utilities, schools, healthcare facilities, and local government officials.

4. Situational Awareness and Information Sharing

Developing a common operating picture of current conditions, emerging threats, available resources, and potential operational challenges.

5. Emergency Operations Readiness

Reviewing emergency communications, warning systems, EOC readiness, flood response resources, backup power, and potential sheltering needs.

🛰️ Looking Beyond Knox County

One important aspect of emergency management is understanding what is happening outside our county.

A tropical system moving across several states may already be producing flooding, power outages, transportation disruptions, and significant demands on emergency response resources.

Those regional conditions can affect mutual aid, utility restoration, supply availability, and emergency operations here at home.

We don’t just monitor where a storm is going. We evaluate what it could do when it gets there.

🚨 Preparedness Before the Storm

Residents can help by maintaining multiple ways to receive weather warnings, preparing for power outages, reviewing family emergency plans, and knowing the flood risks around their homes and businesses.

Never drive through flooded roadways, and always take severe weather warnings seriously.

Our Commitment to Knox County

Much of emergency management happens quietly behind the scenes through forecast monitoring, planning, coordination, and information sharing.

Weather systems originating hundreds or thousands of miles away can eventually create challenges right here in southwestern Indiana.

Our responsibility is to recognize those threats early, coordinate with our public safety partners, and prepare our communities for whatever conditions may develop.

Because effective emergency management isn’t just about responding to what happens today. It’s about anticipating what could happen tomorrow.

Knox County Emergency Management Agency

Preparedness • Coordination • Situational Awareness • Community Resilience

—Emergency Manager
John Streeter
City of Vincennes, Knox County

Address

2375 S Old Decker Road
Vincennes, IN
47591

Telephone

+18128825669

Website

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